The Fertility and Management Imperatives of the Degraded Upland Soils of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria
1 Department of Soil and Environmental Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, Ebonyi State University, P.M.B. 053 Abakaliki, 480001 Nigeria
* Corresponding author: emmanwaogbodo@yahoo.com
* Corresponding author: emmanwaogbodo@yahoo.com
Abstract
Soil fertility evaluation of some continuously cultivated Upland Soils in Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria, was assessed to determine their levels of degradation, as a basis for soil health management to increase their productivity. Results showed that the soils are generally fine loam, very strongly acidic (average pH 4.9), and soils with very low base saturation of below 60 %. They are low in organic matter (OM) ( < 2 % ), total nitrogen (N) ( < 0.15 % ) exchangeable potassium (K) ( < 2 Cmol/ kg ), sodium (Na) and available phosphorus (P) ( 17-39 mg/ kg ), but medium to moderate in exchangeable calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) (0.4-4.8;0.3-4.8) respectively. The overall result indicates that the soils are of very low fertility, and requires adequate fertility restoration for improved soil health. The application of lime, organic and mineral fertilizers was recommended to improve their productivity and boost crop yields.
Keywords
soil degradation
soil fertility
upland soils
soil productivity
crop yields
ebonyi
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How to Cite
N, O. E. (2013). The Fertility and Management Imperatives of the Degraded Upland Soils of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, 23(2), 168-176. https://doi.org/10.67042/njss.2013.fkh1n41t
O. E. N, "The Fertility and Management Imperatives of the Degraded Upland Soils of Ebonyi State, Southeast Nigeria," Nigerian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 23, no. 2, pp. 168-176, August 2013. doi: 10.67042/njss.2013.fkh1n41t
